143:
664:, Abstract:An interface unit for providing visual color display of objects on an unaltered TV receiver which are directly associated with the music on an audio source. Audio energy is derived from separate channels of a stereo system. This audio information is presented on the screen in the form of objects in various arrangements. Color is derived based on the zero crossing rate of each channel. Each channel has its own color associated with it. Objects may be solid, or rings, or one may be "subtracted" one from the other. If desired, the different arrays may be selected automatically in a random manner. A spectral color modulator using phase shifted techniques is incorporated.
154:, the Video Music translates the levels of musical intensity and mellowness into colors and shapes that are output to a graphical display. The console is attached to an audio source and then operated by an adhesive-backed switch box that is glued to the back of a television display. Audio signal visualizations take the basic form of a two-part diamond. The outer part represents the left audio channel while the right channel is represented by the inner part. Varying colors and shapes provide a wide variety of patterns, designs, and images depending on the audio sample played.
394:
38:
856:
375:
magazine as part of a special "VideoTest Report" in 1978. The reviewers gave it mild but positive coverage, describing it as "a well-constructed machine and an interesting component to be used as an adjunct to stereo sound," but warning that "once the novelty wears off the display can become somewhat
182:
to remain attached and thereby eliminating the tiresome process of detaching and reattaching the cable every time the user switched from watching normal television broadcasts to using the visualizer. Any audio source may be used for visualization including Atari's video game system audio, and
324:
The last four buttons have an auxiliary function when the "Auto" button is pushed. In this mode, three of these buttons represent Solid, Hole and Ring. When the unit is in auto, it will retain the shape of one of those three shapes. The fourth button is "Auto All". This sends the unit into
659:
104:
362:
In March 1978, the unit was described in a patent under the name "Audio activated video display". It is considered to have been commercially unsuccessful and production was discontinued after only one year on the market.
157:
After the unit is powered on, a toggle switch may be used to select between "TV" (music visualization inactive), and "Game" (music visualization active). When in the "Game" position, visual data is broadcast on
237:: Two knobs controlling the left and right audio input signals visual representations shapes from soft to geometric. These act to soften shapes or increase geometric complexity of the design.
109:
108:
105:
110:
569:
458:
used a Video Music screen as a background in the video for "The Day My Baby Gave Me a
Surprise". It appears again, connected to a vocoder, in the music video for "Beautiful World".
107:
1197:
864:
692:
106:
325:
semi-automatic mode, cycling through shape, horizontal and vertical options but not affecting the user-set gain, color or contour settings.
142:
1738:
211:
veneer. The unit is turned on by pushing a power button, and visualization is controlled by five potentiometer knobs and 12 additional
483:
415:
355:
representative asked what the developers were smoking when they invented it. With that, a technician stepped forward holding up a lit
441:
735:
1085:
419:
952:
515:
130:, and released in 1977 for $ 169.95. The system creates an animated visual display that responds to musical input from a
1748:
1582:
966:
917:
896:
225:: Two knobs controlling the left and right audio input signals strength. These increase the size of the visual pattern.
1260:
1190:
231:: One knob controlling color. This increases the number of available colors from a solid color to a rainbow of colors.
1358:
903:
875:
708:
272:: The system automatically cycles at random between the different Shape settings as well as the next eight buttons:
376:
monotonous." The same report recommended it for "those who find it relaxing, stimulating, or therapeutic to watch
1274:
1113:
266:: Both stereo channels will represent two outline shapes that retain their thickness with the pulse of the music
1501:
1155:
1064:
924:
404:
1733:
1225:
1001:
987:
973:
423:
408:
260:: One stereo channel controls the outside with a hole in the center controlled by the other stereo channel.
1391:
1295:
1169:
1099:
1078:
945:
910:
882:
677:
The incredible, incredible story of Atari — from a $ 500 lark to a $ 2 billion business in 10 short years
560:"ATARI Inc.; Business Is Fun (the complete history of Atari)" Volume 1, by Marty Goldberg and Curt Vendel
1743:
1562:
1043:
931:
654:, Brown, Robert J., "Audio activated video display", published 1978-03-28, assigned to
651:
1687:
1451:
1351:
1323:
1183:
1162:
1148:
1071:
994:
980:
469:
1682:
1677:
1120:
1050:
1008:
728:
496:
123:
69:
676:
541:
175:
163:
159:
199:
The Video Music hooks up to a TV through an RF switchbox. The other hook ups are left and right
166:. Unlike Atari's previous video game systems, the Video Music system's switch box featured a 75
467:
The diamond pattern visuals from Video Music can be seen in several scenes from the 1979 movie
1376:
1344:
1316:
1309:
959:
836:
800:
771:
630:
594:
356:
1522:
1407:
1330:
889:
841:
816:
625:
589:
179:
1707:
1633:
1494:
1106:
821:
810:
696:
377:
337:, the Video Music unit was designed by Robert Brown, a developer of the home version of
1572:
1288:
721:
1727:
1712:
1537:
938:
204:
623:
Kaplan, Deeny, ed. (Summer 1978). "VideoTest Report Number 7: Atari's Video Music".
183:
visualizations can either be watched "live" on a television screen or recorded on a
1603:
1587:
1542:
1527:
1506:
1489:
1022:
1015:
1623:
1577:
1439:
1400:
1337:
1281:
1092:
795:
765:
593:(Buyer's Guide). Vol. 1, no. 1. Reese Communications. pp. 74–77.
478:
393:
344:
212:
171:
127:
59:
37:
1661:
1532:
1484:
1479:
1474:
1469:
1462:
1457:
1302:
1267:
1218:
1204:
702:
655:
535:
634:
598:
1656:
1414:
1211:
831:
826:
461:
348:
17:
520:
Atari, ... premiered Video Music,....Expected to retail for under $ 200...
1567:
1253:
1246:
1239:
1232:
1057:
1029:
805:
777:
531:
200:
151:
1628:
476:
The diamond pattern visuals from Video Music appeared in an episode of
208:
203:
inputs that hook up to an audio amplifier's RCA outputs. The face is a
855:
1036:
570:
The Atari Video Music is a trippy, psychedelic rarity from the 1970s
473:
where the mute character Johnny watches the visuals in his bedroom.
1176:
744:
352:
188:
141:
131:
102:
629:. Vol. 1, no. 2. Reese Communications. pp. 64–67.
1432:
1141:
1134:
1127:
455:
339:
717:
387:
184:
167:
134:
stereo system for the visual entertainment of consumers.
713:
516:
Tape/Audio/Video:High
Technology Hits CES Audio Scene
254:: Any Shape or Image that is displayed will be solid
1700:
1670:
1649:
1642:
1616:
1596:
1555:
1515:
1424:
1390:
1368:
863:
786:
758:
751:
537:
RetroTech: Atari Video Music - The
Migraine Machine
122:(Model C240) is the earliest commercial electronic
114:
Video output of Atari Video Music, recorded in 2021
93:
75:
65:
55:
47:
587:Kaplan, Deeny, ed. (Winter 1978). "Video Music".
351:, when Atari was on tour promoting the device, a
618:
616:
614:
612:
610:
608:
679:". Landley.net reprint accessed 28 April 2015.
729:
8:
582:
580:
578:
290:: Displays three horizontal generated images
207:plate and the sides are particle board with
30:
693:The Atari Video Music (C-240), Atari Museum
422:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
296:: Displays five horizontal generated images
1646:
1593:
1512:
1365:
854:
755:
736:
722:
714:
486:") as part of a video surveillance system.
464:used a screen in their video "Robot Rock".
320:: Displays eight vertical generated images
284:: Displays two horizontal generated images
36:
29:
442:Learn how and when to remove this message
314:: Displays four vertical generated images
241:The push button controls are as follows:
97:$ 169.95; equivalent to $ 855 in 2023
646:
644:
308:: Displays two vertical generated images
146:A sample of output (without sound input)
508:
371:The Video Music system was reviewed in
572:, By Benj Edwards, 2016-01-28, PCWorld
704:Video of the Atari Video Music screen
7:
420:adding citations to reliable sources
518:, Page 52, 29 Jan 1977, Billboard,
218:The knob controls are as follows:
25:
150:By interpreting an input musical
126:released. It was manufactured by
27:First electronic music visualizer
392:
544:from the original on 2021-12-15
278:: Displays one generated image.
302:: Displays one generated image
162:by default, but may be set to
1:
384:Appearance in popular culture
333:Developed under the codename
1739:Products introduced in 1977
81:; 47 years ago
1765:
699: (archived 2021-06-26)
852:
35:
248:: Turns unit on and off.
1583:Transputer Workstation
1392:Software and utilities
482:(Season 1 Episode 7, "
147:
115:
1657:825 80-Column Printer
1563:Atari 8-bit computers
145:
113:
42:The Atari Video Music
484:Ghost in the Machine
416:improve this section
378:psychedelic displays
1749:Music visualization
1683:Atari joystick port
1425:Video game consoles
497:Music visualization
329:Development history
32:
1662:1020 Color Printer
1617:Portable computers
1556:Personal computers
1198:Return of the Jedi
953:Cloak & Dagger
176:television antenna
148:
116:
94:Introductory price
1721:
1720:
1696:
1695:
1612:
1611:
1551:
1550:
1446:Atari Video Music
1386:
1385:
850:
849:
837:Nightdive Studios
801:Atari Interactive
772:Atari Corporation
452:
451:
444:
347:design engineer,
195:Technical details
120:Atari Video Music
111:
101:
100:
31:Atari Video Music
16:(Redirected from
1756:
1647:
1594:
1513:
1408:Atari Calculator
1366:
1331:Tournament Table
897:Atari Basketball
890:Asteroids Deluxe
858:
817:Cyan Engineering
756:
738:
731:
724:
715:
705:
680:
673:
667:
663:
662:
658:
648:
639:
638:
620:
603:
602:
584:
573:
567:
561:
558:
552:
551:
550:
549:
528:
522:
513:
447:
440:
436:
433:
427:
396:
388:
319:
313:
307:
301:
295:
289:
283:
277:
271:
265:
259:
253:
247:
236:
230:
224:
124:music visualizer
112:
89:
87:
82:
70:music visualizer
40:
33:
21:
1764:
1763:
1759:
1758:
1757:
1755:
1754:
1753:
1724:
1723:
1722:
1717:
1708:Atari Flashback
1692:
1666:
1638:
1608:
1592:
1547:
1511:
1420:
1382:
1364:
1107:Missile Command
967:Crystal Castles
866:
859:
846:
822:Digital Eclipse
811:Chuck E. Cheese
788:
782:
747:
742:
703:
697:Wayback Machine
689:
684:
683:
675:Bloom, Steve. "
674:
670:
660:
650:
649:
642:
622:
621:
606:
586:
585:
576:
568:
564:
559:
555:
547:
545:
530:
529:
525:
514:
510:
505:
493:
448:
437:
431:
428:
413:
397:
386:
369:
343:. According to
331:
317:
311:
305:
299:
293:
287:
281:
275:
269:
263:
257:
251:
245:
234:
228:
222:
197:
140:
103:
85:
83:
80:
51:Robert J. Brown
43:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1762:
1760:
1752:
1751:
1746:
1741:
1736:
1734:Atari hardware
1726:
1725:
1719:
1718:
1716:
1715:
1710:
1704:
1702:
1698:
1697:
1694:
1693:
1691:
1690:
1688:XG-1 light gun
1685:
1680:
1674:
1672:
1671:Gaming devices
1668:
1667:
1665:
1664:
1659:
1653:
1651:
1644:
1640:
1639:
1637:
1636:
1631:
1626:
1620:
1618:
1614:
1613:
1610:
1609:
1607:
1606:
1600:
1598:
1591:
1590:
1585:
1580:
1575:
1570:
1565:
1559:
1557:
1553:
1552:
1549:
1548:
1546:
1545:
1540:
1535:
1530:
1525:
1519:
1517:
1510:
1509:
1504:
1499:
1498:
1497:
1487:
1482:
1477:
1472:
1467:
1466:
1465:
1455:
1448:
1443:
1436:
1428:
1426:
1422:
1421:
1419:
1418:
1411:
1404:
1396:
1394:
1388:
1387:
1384:
1383:
1381:
1380:
1372:
1370:
1363:
1362:
1355:
1348:
1341:
1334:
1327:
1320:
1313:
1306:
1299:
1292:
1289:Super Breakout
1285:
1278:
1271:
1264:
1257:
1250:
1243:
1236:
1229:
1222:
1215:
1208:
1201:
1194:
1187:
1180:
1173:
1166:
1159:
1152:
1145:
1138:
1131:
1124:
1117:
1110:
1103:
1096:
1089:
1082:
1075:
1068:
1061:
1054:
1047:
1040:
1033:
1026:
1019:
1012:
1005:
998:
991:
984:
977:
970:
963:
960:Crash 'N Score
956:
949:
942:
935:
928:
921:
914:
907:
904:Atari Football
900:
893:
886:
879:
871:
869:
867:and amusements
861:
860:
853:
851:
848:
847:
845:
844:
839:
834:
829:
824:
819:
814:
808:
803:
798:
792:
790:
784:
783:
781:
780:
775:
769:
762:
760:
753:
749:
748:
743:
741:
740:
733:
726:
718:
712:
711:
700:
688:
687:External links
685:
682:
681:
668:
640:
604:
574:
562:
553:
534:(2017-04-26),
523:
507:
506:
504:
501:
500:
499:
492:
489:
488:
487:
474:
465:
459:
450:
449:
400:
398:
391:
385:
382:
368:
365:
330:
327:
322:
321:
315:
309:
303:
297:
291:
285:
279:
273:
267:
261:
255:
249:
239:
238:
232:
226:
196:
193:
139:
136:
99:
98:
95:
91:
90:
77:
73:
72:
67:
63:
62:
57:
53:
52:
49:
45:
44:
41:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1761:
1750:
1747:
1745:
1742:
1740:
1737:
1735:
1732:
1731:
1729:
1714:
1713:Intellivision
1711:
1709:
1706:
1705:
1703:
1699:
1689:
1686:
1684:
1681:
1679:
1678:CX40 joystick
1676:
1675:
1673:
1669:
1663:
1660:
1658:
1655:
1654:
1652:
1648:
1645:
1641:
1635:
1632:
1630:
1627:
1625:
1622:
1621:
1619:
1615:
1605:
1602:
1601:
1599:
1595:
1589:
1586:
1584:
1581:
1579:
1576:
1574:
1571:
1569:
1566:
1564:
1561:
1560:
1558:
1554:
1544:
1541:
1539:
1536:
1534:
1531:
1529:
1526:
1524:
1521:
1520:
1518:
1514:
1508:
1505:
1503:
1500:
1496:
1493:
1492:
1491:
1488:
1486:
1483:
1481:
1478:
1476:
1473:
1471:
1468:
1464:
1461:
1460:
1459:
1456:
1454:
1453:
1452:Video Pinball
1449:
1447:
1444:
1442:
1441:
1437:
1435:
1434:
1430:
1429:
1427:
1423:
1417:
1416:
1412:
1410:
1409:
1405:
1403:
1402:
1398:
1397:
1395:
1393:
1389:
1379:
1378:
1374:
1373:
1371:
1367:
1361:
1360:
1356:
1354:
1353:
1352:Video Pinball
1349:
1347:
1346:
1342:
1340:
1339:
1335:
1333:
1332:
1328:
1326:
1325:
1321:
1319:
1318:
1314:
1312:
1311:
1307:
1305:
1304:
1300:
1298:
1297:
1293:
1291:
1290:
1286:
1284:
1283:
1279:
1277:
1276:
1272:
1270:
1269:
1265:
1263:
1262:
1258:
1256:
1255:
1251:
1249:
1248:
1244:
1242:
1241:
1237:
1235:
1234:
1230:
1228:
1227:
1223:
1221:
1220:
1216:
1214:
1213:
1209:
1207:
1206:
1202:
1200:
1199:
1195:
1193:
1192:
1188:
1186:
1185:
1181:
1179:
1178:
1174:
1172:
1171:
1167:
1165:
1164:
1160:
1158:
1157:
1153:
1151:
1150:
1146:
1144:
1143:
1139:
1137:
1136:
1132:
1130:
1129:
1125:
1123:
1122:
1118:
1116:
1115:
1111:
1109:
1108:
1104:
1102:
1101:
1097:
1095:
1094:
1090:
1088:
1087:
1083:
1081:
1080:
1076:
1074:
1073:
1069:
1067:
1066:
1062:
1060:
1059:
1055:
1053:
1052:
1048:
1046:
1045:
1041:
1039:
1038:
1034:
1032:
1031:
1027:
1025:
1024:
1020:
1018:
1017:
1013:
1011:
1010:
1006:
1004:
1003:
999:
997:
996:
992:
990:
989:
985:
983:
982:
978:
976:
975:
971:
969:
968:
964:
962:
961:
957:
955:
954:
950:
948:
947:
943:
941:
940:
939:Canyon Bomber
936:
934:
933:
929:
927:
926:
922:
920:
919:
915:
913:
912:
908:
906:
905:
901:
899:
898:
894:
892:
891:
887:
885:
884:
880:
878:
877:
876:Anti-Aircraft
873:
872:
870:
868:
862:
857:
843:
840:
838:
835:
833:
830:
828:
825:
823:
820:
818:
815:
812:
809:
807:
804:
802:
799:
797:
794:
793:
791:
789:and spin-offs
785:
779:
776:
773:
770:
767:
764:
763:
761:
757:
754:
750:
746:
739:
734:
732:
727:
725:
720:
719:
716:
710:
706:
701:
698:
694:
691:
690:
686:
678:
672:
669:
666:
657:
653:
647:
645:
641:
636:
632:
628:
627:
619:
617:
615:
613:
611:
609:
605:
600:
596:
592:
591:
583:
581:
579:
575:
571:
566:
563:
557:
554:
543:
539:
538:
533:
527:
524:
521:
517:
512:
509:
502:
498:
495:
494:
490:
485:
481:
480:
475:
472:
471:
470:Over the Edge
466:
463:
460:
457:
454:
453:
446:
443:
435:
425:
421:
417:
411:
410:
406:
401:This section
399:
395:
390:
389:
383:
381:
379:
374:
366:
364:
360:
358:
354:
350:
346:
342:
341:
336:
328:
326:
316:
310:
304:
298:
292:
286:
280:
274:
268:
262:
256:
252:Shape (solid)
250:
244:
243:
242:
233:
227:
221:
220:
219:
216:
214:
210:
206:
205:brushed metal
202:
194:
192:
190:
186:
181:
177:
174:allowing the
173:
170:pass-through
169:
165:
161:
160:VHF channel 3
155:
153:
144:
137:
135:
133:
129:
125:
121:
96:
92:
78:
74:
71:
68:
64:
61:
58:
54:
50:
46:
39:
34:
19:
1744:Visual music
1450:
1445:
1438:
1431:
1413:
1406:
1399:
1375:
1357:
1350:
1343:
1336:
1329:
1322:
1315:
1308:
1301:
1294:
1287:
1280:
1275:Steeplechase
1273:
1266:
1259:
1252:
1245:
1238:
1231:
1224:
1217:
1210:
1203:
1196:
1189:
1182:
1175:
1168:
1161:
1154:
1147:
1142:Pong Doubles
1140:
1133:
1126:
1119:
1114:Night Driver
1112:
1105:
1098:
1091:
1086:Lunar Lander
1084:
1077:
1070:
1063:
1056:
1049:
1042:
1035:
1028:
1023:Gran Trak 20
1021:
1016:Gran Trak 10
1014:
1007:
1000:
993:
986:
979:
972:
965:
958:
951:
944:
937:
930:
923:
916:
909:
902:
895:
888:
881:
874:
787:Subsidiaries
752:Corporations
671:
665:
624:
588:
565:
556:
546:, retrieved
536:
526:
519:
511:
477:
468:
438:
429:
414:Please help
402:
372:
370:
361:
338:
335:Project Mood
334:
332:
323:
294:Horizontal 5
288:Horizontal 3
282:Horizontal 2
276:Horizontal 1
270:Shape (auto)
264:Shape (ring)
258:Shape (hole)
240:
217:
213:push-buttons
198:
156:
149:
119:
117:
76:Release date
56:Manufacturer
1643:Peripherals
1440:Stunt Cycle
1401:Atari BASIC
1338:Triple Hunt
1282:Stunt Cycle
1093:Major Havoc
1065:Jet Fighter
925:Black Widow
813:(1977–1980)
796:Atari Games
774:(1984–1996)
768:(1972–1992)
766:Atari, Inc.
479:The X-Files
191:converter.
187:by using a
172:F connector
128:Atari, Inc.
60:Atari, Inc.
18:Video Music
1728:Categories
1597:Prototypes
1523:Game Brain
1516:Prototypes
1502:VCS (2021)
1369:Prototypes
1345:Ultra Tank
1303:Super Pong
1268:Starship 1
1226:Space Race
1219:Space Duel
1205:Shark Jaws
1156:Quadrapong
1002:Food Fight
988:Fire Truck
918:Battlezone
656:Atari Inc.
652:US 4081829
548:2017-04-26
503:References
318:Vertical 8
312:Vertical 4
306:Vertical 2
300:Vertical 1
1634:Portfolio
1433:Home Pong
1415:Atari DOS
1296:Super Bug
1261:Star Wars
1212:Sky Diver
1191:Red Baron
1170:Quiz Show
1100:Millipede
1079:Liberator
974:Destroyer
946:Centipede
911:Avalanche
883:Asteroids
832:MobyGames
827:Kee Games
635:0147-8907
599:0147-8907
462:Daft Punk
403:does not
367:Reception
349:Al Alcorn
164:channel 4
48:Developer
1650:Printers
1573:MEGA STE
1568:Atari ST
1359:Warlords
1254:Sprint 8
1247:Sprint 4
1240:Sprint 2
1233:Sprint 1
1128:Pin-Pong
1058:Indy 800
1044:I, Robot
1030:Gravitar
932:Breakout
806:AtariAge
778:Atari SA
542:archived
532:Techmoan
491:See also
432:May 2015
201:RCA jack
152:waveform
138:Overview
1629:ST Book
1538:Panther
1377:Tank II
1324:Tempest
1184:Rebound
1163:Quantum
1149:Pursuit
995:Firefox
981:Dominos
865:Arcades
759:Primary
709:YouTube
695:at the
424:removed
409:sources
235:Contour
84: (
1604:Sierra
1588:Falcon
1543:Sierra
1528:Cosmos
1490:Jaguar
1317:Tank 8
1121:Outlaw
1072:LeMans
1051:Indy 4
1037:Hi-way
1009:Gotcha
842:Tengen
661:
633:
597:
209:walnut
1701:Other
1624:STacy
1578:TT030
1507:2600+
1177:Qwak!
745:Atari
626:Video
590:Video
373:Video
357:joint
353:Sears
345:Atari
246:Power
229:Color
189:balun
180:cable
132:Hi-Fi
1533:2700
1485:Lynx
1480:XEGS
1475:7800
1470:5200
1463:2800
1458:2600
1310:Tank
1135:Pong
631:ISSN
595:ISSN
456:Devo
407:any
405:cite
340:Pong
223:Gain
118:The
86:1977
79:1977
66:Type
707:on
418:by
380:."
185:VCR
178:or
168:Ohm
1730::
1495:CD
643:^
607:^
577:^
540:,
359:.
215:.
737:e
730:t
723:v
637:.
601:.
445:)
439:(
434:)
430:(
426:.
412:.
88:)
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
